Projects

YEAR ONE: 2010

Total: $700,000

Tractor: $20,000 – Praise the Lord!
Our previous tractor was a mid-sixties John Deere that served us well, but it was getting old and unable to keep up with the daily demands. We use a tractor every day for basic maintenance of the camp. From filling our coal bin, to removing ashes, to snow blowing, to feeding the horses, a solid front-wheel-assist loader tractor is the heartbeat of our maintenance operation. A new tractor has been on our wish list for quite some time, and God has provided! A new tractor has been donated to the camp, and it will serve us for years to come and play a vital role in the construction of future campaign projects.

Boiler: $80,000 – Praise the Lord!
Winkler Bible Camp uses a coal burning system to heat the camp. The old boiler was providing the maximum amount of heat possible but was still unable to meet all the needs of the camp. This summer, the boiler building was expanded and a new, bigger boiler was added, and we now also have a backup in the event that one of the boilers ever breaks down.

Horse Facilities: $60, 000
It is our goal to upgrade our horse corrals and facilities to not only be able to care for the horses year round, but to also be able to offer horse activities throughout the winter season, Currently our horse corrals and petting zoo are located in a low spot close to the creek. The facilities need to be moved to higher ground for the health of the horses and petting zoo animals. A new covered facility will give the horses much-needed shelter from the outdoor elements as well as protect the gear. By moving the current horse facilities to the new location, we are also preparing for an indoor riding arena scheduled to be built in 2014.

Chapel Addition: $200,000
When the beautiful log cabin chapel was built in 1998, it dramatically improved the camping program and made hosting larger events on site feasible. The chapel facility houses the main camp office, boardrooms, and a gym. The gym is used for summer camp chapel, retreats, banquets, and dinner theatres. The plan is to extend the chapel to the south by 2,600 square feet. This space will be used to build a permanent stage, which will increase the capacity for events. It will also eliminate the time and labour it takes to assemble our temporary staging. A kitchen servery will also be added to meet Health Department standards. Overall, the addition will increase functionality and give the camp more storage and office space.

Land Payment: $20,000 – Praise the Lord!
Approximately 60 acres of land has been purchased since 2005 for the future expansion of the camp. The hill, beach, and lake are located on a portion of this land, and plans are in place to add two exciting new sites (Fort Burwalde and Western Town). This is the first of five equal payments that will ultimately eliminate our debt. The 2010 payment has been made!

YEAR TWO: 2011

Total: $580,000

Water Treatment: $80,000
Upgrades are needed to bring the camp’s current water system up to new Health Department standards.

Dining Hall: $200,000
The Health Department has been encouraging the camp to update this facility for years. Changes are necessary in order to meet new Health Department standards. The renovation will include a larger entrance, designated storage areas for food, and a kitchen renovation.

New Camp Site – Western Town: $150,000
Picture an old western town: you ride in on horseback, the sandy main street is lined with a boardwalk, and there are places to visit like the trading post, sheriff’s offices, hotel, bank, and general store. Now imagine going to camp in a place like this! The goal is to create a western town that will function as its own summer camp site. The activities, experiences, and atmosphere created at the western town will be unique to this site, allowing campers to interact with nature and “unplug” from the distractions of their daily lives. Maybe it’s taking a horse and buggy ride into the country for a camp fire, or collecting eggs from the chicken coop before breakfast. The western town will be situated just to the south of Cross View (WBC’s main camp site). Its environmentally friendly design will minimize operating costs. For example, composting toilets are a clean alternative to traditional outhouses but do not require any sewer or septic systems. Electricity will be obtained through wind and solar technology.

Staff Housing: $100,000
Currently there is full-time staff living in housing that was designed for short-term or summer accommodation. Current housing will be upgraded and improved for the staff and volunteers who serve for longer periods of time.

Beach Shower/Washroom Facilities: $10,000The beach and waterfront area have forever changed Winkler Bible Camp. To complete this project and to make an afternoon at the lake much more user friendly, a shower and washroom facility is necessary.

Land Payment: $40,000
This is the second of five land payments designed to eliminate our debt. Western Town is being built on a portion of this previously purchased land.

YEAR THREE: 2012

Total: $90,000

Barn Loft: $50,000The barn is mainly used for the Cross Current program. The lower level has become a classroom and students’ lounge. Once the upstairs loft is finished and insulated, it will be used during the school year as a place to host local youth groups and events. A built-in stage and sound system will be installed.

Land Payment: $40,000This is the third of five payments designed to eliminate our debt by 2014.

YEAR FOUR: 2013

Total: $190,000

New Camp Site – Fort Burwalde: $150,000
This new camp site will be built much like Fort Gibraltar located in Winnipeg. Based on the fur trading posts from the 1800’s, Fort Burwalde is a 40,000-square-foot fort surrounded by 20 foot high walls made from split logs. Four cabins will be built up along the fort wall, one in each corner, high above the ground. Down below, a kitchen, dining shelter, directors’ cabin, and activity centres unique to this site will be built. The site’s environmentally friendly design will minimize operating costs. For example, composting toilets are a clean alternative to traditional outhouses but do not require any sewer or septic systems. Electricity will be obtained through wind and solar technology. Richly steeped in Canadian history, Fort Burwalde will truly be a countercultural camping experience.

Land Payment: $40,000This is the fourth of five payments designed to eliminate our debt by 2014. Fort Burwalde is being built on a portion of this previously purchased land.

YEAR FIVE: 2014

Total: $290,000

Riding Arena: $250,000Winkler Bible Camp hosts events in every season, from summer camp to winter retreats to private group gatherings. Currently, all horse activities are offered outdoors and as a result, the horse program is completely dependent on the weather. A closed riding arena will allow the camp to offer an improved equestrian program year round. In March 2011 the riding ring was assembled at camp, and the horse barn was nearing completion.

Land Payment: $40,000This is our fifth and final payment towards eliminating our debt. We are now debt-free! Praise the Lord!